Automatic gas valve



, 'p prll 19,1921. C. M' ,LEE A.

AUTOMATIC GAS VALVE Filed May 21. 1920 2 Sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR@www4/za l ATTORNEYSy April 19, 1927.

1,525,323 c. M. LEE 4 AUTOMATIC GAS VALVE Filed May 21. 1920N v zsheets-sheet 2 4.3 Y lNvENToR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 19, 1927.`

l ,A 1,625,323* UNITED "STATES -PATENr lorner..

CLAIRE u. LEE, or ELYnrA, omo, AssrqNon. or ons-HALF ro esoneri w.1.1m.v or l A l l wAUsEoN, omo.

AUrollArrc eAs vALva A Application med my 21,

This invention relates to automatic valves for controlling the flowv offluid pressure, such as valves for illuminating gas, gas forrefrigerating systems, such as 'ammonia, or steam or com ressed air. Theinvention is particular y applicable for ill luminating gas supplysystems, its general purpose being to automatically cut oi the How ofgas when the pressure of the supply is reduced below a pre-determinedamountv or when some dangerous condition arises.

The object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve theconstruction and arrangement of the valve and i its controlling means;-to provide a valve which is positive in operation and insuresv safetyunder abnormal conditions; to provide a valve of this kind whichdoes-not depend for its operation upon springs,

which includes but a single diaphragm or.

movable abutment, and in which friction of moving parts is largelyeliminated; to

provide a valve which automatically cuts off the flow of gas underunusual conditions but which in turn is `controlled by a hand operatedvalve which can be placed at a point remote from the main supplycontrolling valve; and to provide a con- 'i" struction which insuressafety in operation in case the movable abutment or diaphragm becomespunctured or because of Wear or for other reasons cannot `perform itsusual functions.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part willappear more .indetail hereinafter. l

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of .one form ofvalve U embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation partly insection illustratinganother arrangement of automatic fire controllingmeans; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, il-

lustratingthe entire control s stem; Fig.

4 is a plan view of the manna controlling valve; Fig. 5is a sectionalelevation thereilfl of. on the line 5 5, Fig 4; Figs. 6, 7 and 8 laresectional plan views on e the -lines 6 6, 7 7, and 8 8, Fig.- 5,respectively;

5 and Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view on the line 9 9, Fig. 5.

1 represents the fluid pressure supply 'main communicating by way ofthev valve `2 with a discharge pipe 3 leading to the 1920. serial no.333,125.

various outlets where ,the iuidA pressure sup! ply is utilized,; whichlin the case of s, will be the varlous burnels, stoves or ot er -gasoutlets. Valve 2 indludes a casing 4 in which is a cross wall 5 providedwith a tapered or conical seat 6 to receive the tapered valve plug 7,the upper end of which is slightly smaller in diameter than thecylindrical portion 8 o the valve body Upon the upper end in which ittravels. of the valvel casing is secured a casing includingupper andlower members 9, 10 between which is clamped a flexible diaphragm ormovable abutment 11. The upper member 9 of the diaphragm casing isprovided with a centrally disposed' relatively small valve seat 12 at*the mouth of a passage-Way 13 j communicating with a'pipe 14.

`The valve 7 is supported by the diaphragmv 11 `which has secured to itscenter a v'alve rod or stem 15, the nut 16. for clamping the same also'holding in place a concave metal washer 17, aboveV which is a sealingWasher 18, these members -forming a valve co-operating withV the seat12. The lower end of rod 15 is provided with a round head 19 lying inthe cavity of a nut 20 threaded into a check valve member 21 which isprovided on its lower face with a composition washer 22 for co-opera'-tion with the valve 'seat 23 at the upper end of a channel 24 openingthrough the bottom of the valve body 7. The check valve. comprisingmembers 20 and 21, has limited vvertical motion in a cavity or' recess25 within the valve body 7, its downward mo- -the cavity 25, and theplug 26 is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced throughports 27, as a consequence of which, under certain conditions, pressurecan low throughtlie center of valve member 7. The valre body 7 'also cantilt slightly upon the head 19 so that it is self adjusting or selfaccommodating to its seat.

vThevalve so far described is utilized in connection with a manualcontrolling valve illustrated in detail in Rigs. 4 to 8 inclusive. Saidmanual controlling valve includes a any convenient casing or bodyprovided with a central tapered opening 31 for a tapered valve plug 32which is held to its seat in said opening by the spring 33. rIhe plug isalso provided 'on one end with an operating handle 34 and is connectedto the casing by a spring 35 whose tendency is to rotate the valve inthe direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows, Figs. 6, 7 and8. Plug` 32 is also provided with suitable stop devices for limiting itsrotation, such as the pin 36 which engages the opposite ends of a slotor recess 37 in the valve casing. This valve plug normally occupies theposition shown in the drawings, but by operation of the handle 34 may beturned through 90 .in the direction of the arrowsv shown in Figs. 6, 7and 8, and when released, the spring 35 returns it to normal position.In the valve casin 3() are four chambers or channels marke respectively38, 39, and 41.

This controlling valve may be located at oint. Usually the main valveshown at F 1g. 1 is located in the b'asement close to the meter and themanual controlling valve may be located closel adjacent thereto.`However, if desired, t e controlling valvemay be in an upper roomY or atsome other point in the building remote from the main valve. As shown inFig. 3, the chamber 38 communicates byr a pipe 42 with the supplypipe 1. Chamber 40 communicates with a pipe 14 leading to the top of thediaphragm casing. Consequently, wherever the manually controlled valveis located these two pipes would, of necessity, run to the basement orto the place where the main operating valve is located. Chamber 39communicates with the discharge ipe 3 or to the system of outletpipes towiiich it is connected. It therefore does not need to extend clear tothe main operating valve but may be connected to the nearest one of thebranch outlet pipes marked 3, in Fig. 3. Chamber 41 communicates withthe atmosphere, and if required by the regulations of the tireunderwriters this chamber 41 may communicate b f way of a pipe 43 withthe open air outsi e of the building.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, it will be observed that the plug 32is provided with ports in three different transverse planes. In theupper plane, represented in Fig. 6, said plug is rovded with an L shapedport 44 which, 1n normal position of the valve, is blanked at one' end,but which,

when the valve is turned, establishes communication between chambers 40and 41. In the next lower lane, illustrated in Fig. 7, the plug is provied with a single through port 45, which in normal position of the valve,establishes communication between the chambers 38 and 40, butwhich isblanked when the valve is turned. In the lower plane, shown in Fig. 8,the plug is provided a predetermined amount, say

with a single L shaped port 46, which, ,in normal position of the valve,is blanlred at one end, but which, when the valve is turned, establishescommunication between the chambers -38 and 39.

The operation is as follows:

Let us assume theparts in the positions shown in the drawings and thatthe pressure of the supply is six ounces, or, at any rate, above thepressure at which the valve is desired to operate.. The diaphragm 11 isin its upper position and valve 7 is raised from its seat. Consequentlythe full pressure of the supply is effective in chamber 47 upon theentire area of the diaphragm. Through the manual cont-rol valve (seeFig. 7 pressure of the supply is also effective in the chamber orpassage 13 but only upon a very restricted portion of the upper surfaceof the diaphragm, as the chamber 48 above the diaphragm and surroundingthe valve -seatl12 is trapped. Consequently the pressure on the lowerface of the diaphragm preponderates and the parts are held in theposition shown.

Let us assume now that the pressure of the supply drops to an abnormalamount, say one-,half ounce. VWhen this condition arises the pressure onthe lower face of the diaphragm will still preponderate but the totalacual pressure thereon will have been reduced to a relatively smallamount, indeed, to such an amount as to be unable to sup- -port theweightof the diaphragm, rod 15 and the valve parts supported thereby.The

weight of these parts 1s calculated with ref erence to the area of thediaphragmsoK that the valve will operate at the desired reduction inpressure Also, by further proortioning of the weight of valve 2l and itseffective lower area the parts can be so arranged that after the valvedrops the pressure of the supply main must rise to at least one andonehalf (l1/2) ounces ibefore said pressure can become 'effective torestore the parts to their original o en positions. When the pressure.is ,reduce as described the diaphragm and parts supportedthereonimmediately move downward. As soon as valve 18 leaves its seat thedownward movement is assisted by the augmented pressure over the entireupper surface of the diaphragm, as a result of which valve 7 seats andcuts off the flow of pressure to the discharge pipe 3.

If, now, thepressure of the supply rises to an amount above the`operating pressure, say

to the predetermined pressure of one and one-half ounces (l1/3) beforereferred to, or even to its original amount, such rise in pressure will-not move the valve, due to the fact that the full pressure of thesupply is effective uponthe upper face only of the diaphragm, andincrease in pressure merely holds said valve more tightly to its seat.In

the manual controlling valve is turned to its 'second position. Thisoperation cuts oltheY lli .sov .p 'lhisvaive is prooi? against punctureetl or ingury to the diaphragm. Again assuming i v48 thereby .and'belowsai diaphragm drops immediately flow or pressure from the supplyy to thechamber 48, establishes v communication through port 44 from saidchamber 48 to the atmosphere, and at the same time establishescommunication through port 46 from the supply pipe l to the dischargepipe 3. As a result the full pressure ofthe su ly is eec? tive upon thebott-om'of valve gpvhile the., upper face of the diaphragm l1 is subjectlonly to atmospheric pressure. rEhe'iirst efi'ect mi duid pressure onvalve 7 is to raise the valve 2l from its Vsent 23, whereupon sure dowsthrough the passa e 24 eround` said check valve and througi the ports 27to chamber 47. The ullpressure of g 25 the supply becomes efi'ective inchamber 4'? and raises. the valve 7 from its seat, returnthe-parts tothe positions shownin Fig. l. When the manual-control valve' is' re.-leased the parts remain in. the position Ashown in the drawingsuntiliurtherauto matic operation ensues.

the parts in the position shown in the :drawings, should the diaphragmbe punctured or ger ordinarily erisingfrom open gas pipes injured,ypressure will How from the chamber dthrough said diaplir euelizing v,te' pressures above their originel positions until the diaphragm isentirely repaired.- `This valve must, always Abe either fully open. orfully closed, and has no intermediatepositions of rest. It isheld iueither of said positions according to the pressure in the main supplyline and upon any serious drop in pressure or injury to the to fullyclosed position. p

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement in which the main' controlling'val've' alsoresponds to abnormal conditions which may arise as the result of fire.{In this arrangement the upper member of the diaphragm casing isproprovided With-a suitable packing surrounding a vertically movable rod49 lying direct.'- above the valve rod 15. rlhis rod is' carr'ied by aframe 50 rotatable about an .exten-` sion 51 of the diaphragm casing andheld thereto. by a nut 51". The adjustment enables'the upper partsto be'readily adjusted angularly to accomodate the valve to incomng pipes orto avoid obstructions. In,

said Aframe is mounted a valve casingf52 in" the chamber 53 of whichslides apiston 54 to the Yeheirnher i diaphragm. Thereupon the velueparts move-downwerdly to closing po- .abutting or. secured to the outerend of rod 49 and provided with a ,leak portf54a. The outer end of thechamber is closed by a cap 55 and the piston therein is normally movedtoward the outer end oi the chamber by a compression spring 56.57'represent a pipe communicating with a water Supply and leading to thechamber or space 58 behind the piston. 59 represents another pipe Icom'-municating with the chamber 53 in advance of the piston and leading to asuitable fire extinguishing apparatus, such as a series of pipesdistributed along the yceilings of various rooms of the building andequipped with outlets adapted to automatically open when the temperatureof the room rises because of fire. Y' f -Under normal conditions alloutlets from the re extinguishing system are closed so that there is noHow of Water from said system. Therefore, the piston 54 is held by thespring 56 in the position shown in Fig. 2. However, it as the result offire one of the out-lets from pipe 59 is open, water immediately beginsto flow which 'advances the iston 54 and moves the rod 49 downwardly 1nlllig. 2. 'llhis rod immediately engages the upper end4 of rod l5 and'moves the diaphragm ll downwardly to/ unseat the valve 18. As a resultthe pressures above and belovrthe diaphragm l1 are kequalized and vulve7 closes by gravity. Any fire in the building Will od the entire gassupply and avoid the dem in a burning building. When the dow o ize onopposite sides'of theV piston 54 and it is returned to normal positionby the spring 5,6. Y Fig. 1 shows a similar ,arragement in' which thepiston 54 controlled as aforesaid by therire extinguishing system, issupported in a casing 52'angularly adjustable on one side of a frame50".' This piston optherefore automatically turn ino .Water is cut oli"or ceases the pressures equal erates n, rod 49a similar to the rod 49but I which engagesn lever 6() fulciunied :it 61 and having an erm 62lying above e collar 63 on a rod 64. rThis rod 64 is in line with thevalve rod l5 and operates the saine. This arrangement enables the rodl64 tobe also operated directly by rise in temperature. For example, theframe 50 may support -a lever 65 pivoted at' 66 and engaging apin orshoulder 67 on rod 64. Said leverisrprovided with a counterweight 68 andis normally supported in the position shown by a fusible wire 69. If.the temperature rises as the result of fire, Wire` 69-fuses and theWeight 68 immediately becomes effective `upon the rod 64 to`automatically -close the valve 7. This arrangement may/be used Withoutthe' Water controlled piston 54 if desired. Y ln fact the fluid pressureshut ed mechanism may beused alone or with either ies or both of theabove describedfire closing* devices.

1What I claim is':

l. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure a conduits, comprising a valvecasing communicating with supply and discharge connections, a valvecontrolling the flow of fluid theretlnough, said casing having a chamberand a movable abutment in said chamber l for operating said valve, saidabutment when the valve is open being subject on its lower face to thepressure of the supply and onl its upper face having valve means'controlling the flow of fluid thereto', said abuti ment being soconstructed and arranged as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.

2. Valve mechanism for luid pressure conduits, comprising a valve casingcommunicating with supply and discharge conl nections, a valvecontrolling the 1dow ot fluid therethrough, said casing having a chamberand a movable abutment in said chamber for operating said valve, saidabutment being subject on its lower face to the pressure ot' 1'? the.supply only when said valve is open, and

on its upper tace having valve means controlling the flow of fluidthereto. 3. alve mechanism for fluid pressui conduits, comprising avalve casing comi?" ,municating with supply and discharge connections,a. valve controlling the flow ol lluid therethrough, sald casing havinga chamber and a movable abutment in said chamber tor operating saidvalve, said abutment when the valve \is open being subject on its lowerface to the pressure of the supply and on .its upper lace having valvemeans adapted in open position of said valve to restrict the flow offluid to a portion only of the upper abutment face.

el. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising a valvecasing communicating with supply and discharge connections, a valvecontrolling the flow of Huid# therethrough, said casing having a chamberand a movable abutment in said chamber for `operating said valve, saidabutment when the valve is open being subject on its lower face to thepressure of the supply and on its upper face having valve means adaptedin open position of said valve to restrict the flow of fluid to aportion only of the u per abutment face, and when said valve clbses topermit gow of fluid to the entire upper abutment ace.

5. Valve mechanism for conduits, municating with supply and discharconnections, a valve controlling the ow of Huid therethrough, saidcasing having a chamber and a llexible abutment anchored in said chamberfor operating said4 valve, said abutment when the valve is open beingsubject on one face over its entire area and on its opposite face over areduced area to fluid pressure duits,

comprising a valve casing comthe pressure of the supply, and anauxiliary valve within said valve controlling the flow of fluidtherethrough.

6. Valve mechanism for Huid pressure conduits, comprising a valve casingcommunicating with supply and discharge connections, a valve controllingthe flow of fluid therethrough, said easing having a chamber and amovable abutment in said chamber lor operating said valve, said abutmentwhen the valveis open being subject on one face over its entire area andon its opposite face over a reduced area to the pressure of the supply,and valve means' 'having two positions in one ot' which communication iscstablished from the supply to the upper face of said abutment and inthel other of which communication is established between the uoper laceot said abutment and the atmosplier-e.

7. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising a valvecasing communicating with supply and discharo'e connections, a valvecontrolling the ow of fluid therethrough, said casing having a chamberand a movable abutment in said `chamber for operating said valve, .saidabutment when the valve is open being subject on one face to thepressure of the supply and on its' opposite face to a lower pressure, acheck valve within said valve controlling the flow of iluidtherethrough, and valve.

means having two positions in one of which communication is establishedfrom the sup ply to the upper face of said abutment and in the other ofwhich communication is established between the u per face of saidabutment and the atmosphere.

8. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure concomprising a valve casingcommunieating tions, a valve controlling the flow of fluid therethrough,said casing having a chamber and a movable abutment in said chamber foroperating said valve, said ,abutment when the valve is open beingsubject on one face over its entire area and on its opposite face over areduced area to the pressure of the supply, a check valve within saidvalve controlling the flow of fluid' therethrough, and valve meanshaving two positions in one of which communication is established fromthe supply to the upper face of said abutment and in the other of whichcommunication is established between the upper face of'said abutment andthe atmosphere.

9. Valve' mechanism for fluid pressure conduits,

discharge connections, a valve controlling the flow 0f fluidtherethrough, said casing having a chamber and a. movable abutment insaid chamber for operating said valve, said abut ment when thevalve isopen being subject on its lower face tothe pressure of the comprising avalve casing com-` municating with supply and with supply and dischargeconnee v said valve means becomes effective over the supply and on itsupper face having valve means restricting the flow of fluid to a limitedarea thereof, and means capable of operation by the flow of fluid in afire extinguishing system for opening sa'd' valve means and pern'iittingthe jflow o fluid to tlie ent-ire area of said upper a utmeiit face.

10. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising a valveeasing communicating with supply and discharge connections, valve meanscontrollin the flow of fluid therethrougli,a movable a utment foractuating said` valve means, said abutment in open position of the valvemeans being subject on its lower face to the pressure of the. supply,means for supplying fluid pressure to the upper face of said abutment,and means whereby in open position of said valve means the pressuresupplied to the upper abutment face is'effective over a reduced areathereof and upon closing movement of entire area of said upper abutmentface.

1]. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising a valvecasing communicating with supply and discharge connections, valve meanscontrollin the flow of fluid therethrough, a movable a utment for Iactuating saidvalve means, said abutment in open position of thek valvemeans being subject en its lower `face 'to the pressure of the supply,means for supplying fluid pressure to the upper face of said abutment,means whereby in open position of, said valve means thev pressuresuppliedv to the upper abutment face is effective' over a reduced areathereof and upon closing movement of said valve means becomes effectiveover the entire area of said upper abutment face, and means adapted whenthe valve .means is closed to cut off the supply of fluid pressure tothe upper face of said'abutment and simultaneously apply supply pressureto said valve means for opening the same.-

l2. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising a valvecasing communicating with supply and discharge connections, valve meanscontrolling the flow of fluid therethrough, a movable abutment foractuating said valve means, and means cooperating with saidl abutmentland so arupper area of the abutment and the remaining upper area of theabutment is subject to'a trapped lesser pressure and upon clos` ingmovement of said valve means supply pressure becomes effective over theentire upper abutment area.-

l-i. Valve mechanism for fluid pressure conduits, comprising avalve`casing -commiinicating with supplyv and discharge connections, valvemeans controlling the flow` vof fluid therethrough, a movable abutmentfor actuating said valve means, said abutment in closed position ofthevalve means being subject on. its upper and lower faces.

to the pressure of the supply, means for reducing the pressure suppliedto the upper` face of said abutment and simultaneously increasing thepressure on .the lower face of said abutment andvalve means for openingthe latter, and means adapted when the -valve means. is fully opened toreduce the area of the upper face of said Jabutment Ito which supplypressure is applied, thereby holding the valve means open. c

' ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CLAIRE M. LEE.

